A Woman’s Guide to Oregon Hot Springs

January 5, 2019

5 Magical Oregon Hot Springs

Though the winter months are filled with opportunities for adventure in the Pacific Northwest, the cold can start to feel old as time wears on. Fortunately, Oregon is home to an array of hot springs that offer a variety of experiences for those looking for a little exploration and the opportunity to rejuvenate. Along with removing the cold from your bones, Oregon hot springs waters are said to have tons of health benefits—making them the perfect destination for a personal getaway.

I’ve rounded up 5 of my favorite Oregon hot springs for you to put on your cold weather must-experience list. They are each unique in their own way and offer a variety of experiences. Read up and then head out and reap the rewards offered by these natural wonders.

5 Unique Oregon Hot Springs

Crystal Crane Hot Springs

Head to Eastern Oregon for this one-of-a-kind experience. This Oregon hot spring is wonderful for the adventurous at heart. Surrounded by grassy fields and rolling hills for as far as the eye can see, Crystal Crane offers visitors multiple accommodation and soaking options to choose from. The main hot spring is a large outdoor circular pond that is seven-feet deep at the center and leaves plenty of room for soaking and gentle swims. The water’s temp stays at about 101 degrees and gives visitors the opportunity to soak while watching the clouds roll by above.

If you are in need of a private soak. Crystal Crane has a bathhouse where you will find cedar-enclosed tubs. You manage the water’s temperature yourself and then relax in peace as long as you want. Finally, for a truly unforgettable experience, you can rent a teepee with a tub to stay in over night. Make sure to call in advance to reserve this option.

When you stay at Crystal Crane, you have the option of staying in a teepee, waterfront cabins, the bunkhouse, or camping. It’s a choose-your-own adventure experience. Read more about it here.

Belknap Hot Springs

Located in Central Oregon on the McKenzie River, this Oregon hot spring is open 365 days a year. Belknap is one of my favorite options for moms who are traveling with kids. There are two pools for visitors to enjoy and multiple accommodation options. The pools are not rustic. They look like swimming pools and are filled with the natural mineral water from the hot spring. They even have poolside chairs to relax on and are super kid-friendly. The upper pool is reserved for guests at the resort, but the lower pool is open to for day use.

If you are traveling some distance and want to stay the night, you can stay in the lodge, choose from an array of cabins, or camp. Along with offering soaking options, Belknap is renowned for it’s stunning gardens, giving visitors plenty to do when they aren’t in the pool.

Summer Lake Hot
Springs

This is truly one of the most stunning hot spring options Oregon has to offer. Because of its remote location, I highly recommend it for a personal retreat or intimate, pastoral getaway. The resort covers approximately 145 acres of land in the Great Basin region and is home to a beautifully 1927-era bathhouse that looks like something out of an old Western flick. Along with the indoor pool, Summer Lake Hot Springs offers natural outdoor rock pools as well. All of the pools stay between 106 and 118 degrees.

For an overnight stay, guests choose between geothermally heated cabins, guesthouses, and campgrounds. Children are welcome and allowed in the bathhouse until 7 p.m. And the bathhouse becomes clothing optional at 9 p.m. (the perfect opportunity for those looking for a new skinny dipping experience).

Along with providing visitors with an incredible experience, Summer Lake Hot Springs is considered one of Oregon’s greenest soaks. And that alone makes it worth putting on you’re your must-visit list.

Carson Hot Springs

In less than an hour, you can travel from Portland, Oregon to Carson Hot Springs where you will be immediately be transported back in time to the 1930s. Another unique locale, Carson Hot Springs gives their guests a genuine, traditional bathhouse experience.

Soak in vintage claw foot tubs where a curtain gives you plenty of privacy in the dimmed setting. When you are done, try one of the unique spa services. I personally tried the bath wrap. After a long soak in a tub, I went into a room where a woman essentially swaddled me like a baby (a bit like a baby in a straight jacket) and left me to relax and turn inward. And turn inward I did. It was…a trip. You should try it.

The bathhouse is great for day-trippers, but if you want to stay overnight, the resort has a guests-only a mineral therapy pool.

Good to know: I wouldn’t recommend this location if you have kids in tow.

Breitenbush Hot
Springs

Unleash your inner hippie at this beloved Oregon hot springs. If you love skinny-dipping, this is the spot for you. If you don’t love getting naked, you can wear a swimsuit, but be prepared to see tons of dicks. They are everywhere. Really. I point this out because as I said in my women’s guide to skinny-dipping, I don’t do well in co-ed situations. If you are someone with the same struggle, this hot spring could pose a challenge. They do offer occasional women- only times. Check the website for dates.

If co-ed nudity in situations with a larger number of people around doesn’t bother you, then Brietenbush has a lot to offer. You can stay in the lodge, cabins, or camp. There are a variety of pools and soaking options as well as daily wellness programs you can participate in. Additionally, they serve organic vegetarian meals three times a day and the resort’s setting is gorgeous!

Annette is a writer, editor and photographer from Portland, OR. Her work appears in a variety of publications including Bust, Red Tricycle, Motherly and Domino. When she’s away from her desk she can be found teaching women yoga at wilderness retreats, exploring new cities across the states and hiking the trails at Mt. Rainier—one of her favorite places on earth.

2 Replies to “A Woman’s Guide to Oregon Hot Springs”

Annette I love Carson Hot Springs and have been going for years! In the men’s bathhouse they have a cold tub plunge. My sister and I have gone and got a bit yelled at for whispering while in adjoining tubs. We still giggle about it! Carson is a bit primitive.You did not list Bonneville?